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MassHealth Services to be Cut by $15.5 Million

Old Colony Elder Services, an agency that serves elders, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in the Brockton and South Shore area, shares insight on the impact of the proposed budget cuts which were recently announced by the Patrick Administration.

The Patrick Administration is set to make a series of rate cuts to several key MassHealth programs and services. These cuts will ultimately affect the area’s most vulnerable residents – low-income seniors.

Approximately $3.25 million will be cut from programs in the remaining months of 2011, plus another $12.3 million is slated to be cut from the 2012 budget.

According to Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the MassHealth cuts are proposed for the following.

Adult Foster Care – a program that provides daily assistance with personal care and case management oversight in a caregivers home on a 24/7 basis. The proposal would decrease the payment rates for all adult foster care (AFC) services by 6.2% effective March 15, 2011. Reduced rates would not be enough to attract the additional caregivers needed to expand this program and may even reduce the number of existing caregivers. Fewer caregivers will result in the state’s taxpayers paying for more costly living arrangements for these elderly and disabled individuals. Currently OCES has 162 people in this program.

Adult Day Health – a community-based day program providing nursing, therapeutic services and oversight for seniors in an effort to postpone nursing facility placement. Services provided also include nutrition, dietary counseling, case management, activities, and assistance with activities of daily living. The proposed cuts decrease the payment rates for adult day health (ADH) services by an average of 7.8%. Mass Home Care estimated that Adult Day Health enables nearly 7,000 individuals to remain living in the community, which saves taxpayers millions of dollars annually. According to Mass Home Care’s Executive Director Al Norman, “If these seniors had to be institutionalized due to lack of ADH services, the cost would be roughly $408.8 million annually, whereas the entire cost of the ADH program is only about $90 million.”

Group Adult Foster Care – a program that provides daily assistance with personal care services and case management oversight by the provider in an elderly/disabled housing complex or Assisted Living Residence. The Administration has proposed cutting this program’s rates by 7.6%.

“The proposed funding cuts to MassHealth’s Adult Foster Care, Adult Day Health and Group Adult Foster Care programs will affect those most in need. Their only other option is expensive institutional care. These MassHealth programs and services are essential because they enable seniors and disabled individuals who are financially needy to remain living at home longer and with a better quality of life. A reduction in funding for these program will most certainly increase the number of people living in nursing homes,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES.

Ironically, these same programs and services are critical to the success of Governor Patrick’s Community First initiative to enable people to live as long as possible in the least restrictive setting possible.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver Support; Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services and Home Care.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in 23 towns in Southeastern Massachusetts:

Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization. In 2009, OCES was honored with the Metro-South Chamber of Commerce’s “Economic Impact Award”. The agency has 140 employees. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org

MassHealth Services to be Cut by $15.5 MillionRead More

Your new travel guide…Mike Chenail opens Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Resort Maps franchise.

Mike Chenail
Mike Chenail of Resort Maps

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Resort Maps, creator of more than 100 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Mike Chenail as the owner of the new Resort Map to be published for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well as at advertiser locations. The Lancaster County map will highlight local attractions and things to do, restaurants and bars, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services for both downtown Lancaster and Amish country. Each advertiser on the map will be represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building hand-drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate. 

 “Lancaster County has a lot to offer in terms of sights and attractions, from the local independent baseball league team—the Lancaster Barnstormers—to President James Buchanan’s Wheatland home to the quaint Amish countryside,” said Chenail. “Resort Maps gives tourists and locals a hard copy map alternative and online map option that makes it easy to get around and really gives visitors a feel for what the area is all about.”

Originally from western Massachusetts, Chenail received a bachelor’s degree in arboriculture from the University of Massachusetts. Prior to owning the Resort Maps franchise, he worked in sales in the tree care industry. Chenail first heard of Resort Maps while residing in Massachusetts in the 1990’s, but the idea to pursue a franchise came after watching visitors to Bucks County navigate effortlessly with the map and frequenting the advertisers they saw.

The Lancaster County Resort Map will offer a treasure trove of things to do for people vacationing in the area or just visiting for a day or two. Resort Maps free ‘souvenir style’ maps will have a 200,000 map distribution at Welcome Centers and over 100 local advertisers’ shops and non-advertiser locations throughout Lancaster County. Each map display case will include a tag reader symbol so that readers with a smartphone can take a picture of the tag and be automatically taken to the online version of the Lancaster County Resort Map.

“The advanced technology of Resort Maps was one of the main reasons I bought a franchise. The fact that the map is online and the colorful art work of the hard copy give us a distinct advantage versus. other forms of marketing,” said Chenail, who recently joined the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Lancaster County map will be distributed in June 2011. The Lancaster County Resort Map will also be available on-line at www.resortmaps.com, along with interactive maps to more than 100 areas that Resort Maps covers. These interactive maps allow the viewer to read a description of each business as they scroll over each building and to connect to the website of the business for further information. 

For information on how to advertise on the initial Lancaster County Resort Map, you can e-mail Mike Chenail at mikec@resortmaps.com or call 717-826-8118.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to more than 100 Resort Maps in publication in the US, the UK, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, with several more in the process of being published.  Nearly 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Vail & Beaver Creek, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Boca Raton, Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Delray Beach, Key West, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Kentucky (Lexington) Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Brewster/Harwich/Dennis, Chatham-Orleans, Eastham-Wellfleet, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Northern Michigan/Petoskey/Harbor Springs; Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, New Brunswick, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, The Hamptons,), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line, Lancaster County), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Texas (North Texas, including Fort Worth), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Alexandria, Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes), Puerto Rico (San Juan, Vieques, Culebra) and Costa Rica (Escazu-Santa Ana).

Your new travel guide…Mike Chenail opens Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Resort Maps franchise.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services’ Emergency Fund Appeal – Read more in The Patriot Ledger

Old Colony Elder Services, which provides home care services to people age 60 and older in many South Shore towns, needs help to keep its emergency fund going strong this year. Requests from elders for crisis assistance have increased.

Continue reading Sue Scheible’s article – http://bit.ly/f9JmAG

Old Colony Elder Services’ Emergency Fund Appeal – Read more in The Patriot LedgerRead More

Shake hands with a new, white glove service…G-Force Shipping introduces white glove service

HANOVER, MASSACHUSETTS…

G-Force Shipping, a third-party logistics provider based in Hanover, Mass., recently unveiled a white glove service for its customers.

“Our white glove service actually starts with our easy-to-use online shipping tool. Our customers have access to more than 70 national and regional LTL carriers so they can find the right carrier at the right price for their shipment without picking up the phone,” said Gordie Macfarlane, president of G-Force Shipping. “The key to a successful shipment, however, is follow through and making sure that everything happens as it’s supposed to and that’s really what the white glove service is about.”

G-Force Shipping’s white glove service features:

  • Follow-up by phone or e-mail by G-Force customer service representatives to ensure safe arrival of every single shipment.
  • 24/7 customer service; including access to G-Force customer service reps via cell phone after business hours and on weekends.
  • More than 70 carriers to choose from on G-Force’s Web site to obtain the best quote for Less Than Truckload (LTL), Full Truckload (FTL) and small parcel shipments. That includes a Multi-carrier view of shipping options and prices
  • Freight consulting services – our customer service reps have more than 50 years of combined experience. Need help deciphering a quote, selecting the proper amount of insurance or anything else, G-Force reps are available.
  • Online Warehouse Management System (OWMS), which gives customers real-time inventory visibility and allows for automated re-order dates.

“Our primary reason for using G-Force initially was customer service and discounted rates. Bill of Ladings are easy to create (especially for repeat shipments) and having the ability to save quotes online for future shipments saves a tremendous amount of time. Any time there is a problem with pickups or deliveries or special requests, one phone call or e-mail to G-Force’s customer service saves the day,” said Wendy B. Hamilton, vice president of Sunbelt Plastic.

For more information on G-Force Shipping’s range of services, including its White Glove Service, please visit www.gforceship.com or call 877-7-GFORCE (877-743-6723).

More carriers, more choices, more savings.

G Force Shipping and Consulting, Inc. is a non asset based third-party logistics provider based in Hanover, Massachusetts. Through its Web site, www.gforceship.com, G-Force provides its customers with direct access to quotes from more than 70 carriers on LTL, FTL and small parcel shipments. In addition to helping customers find the right shipping company at the right price, G-Force offers white glove service that includes 24/7 customer service, freight consulting services, online warehouse management capabilities and much, much more.

For more information, visit www.gforceship.com or call 877-7-GFORCE (877-743-6723).

Shake hands with a new, white glove service…G-Force Shipping introduces white glove serviceRead More

Exhibitors shed their shadow

More than 30 regional businesses will be stepping out of the shadows and into booth space at the Ground Hog Day Advertising/Marketing Expo sponsored by the South Shore Ad Club.

The Expo is scheduled for Ground Hog Day, February 2 and will be run from 8:30 – 1 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 929 Hingham Street (Route 228), Rockland. The entire business community is invited to attend this FREE event. A complimentary Continental Breakfast will be served from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Exhibitors will include AdZoo, Air Graphics, American Computer Technologies, Boston Business Journal, Beaulieu Advertising & Design, Boingnet, New England Burial at Sea, Buy the
Case, Cape Cod & Plymouth Business Magazine, Coffee News, Community Values Magazine, DGI-Invisuals, ESP Solutions, Groppi Design, Hooray for Books, JRC Associates, Kathleen Ann Boluch Creative, Liberty Mutual, Lois Woods Graphic Design, McElroy Assoc., Metro S. Chamber of Commerce, MotionBuzz, SS Petersen Graphic Design, PR Works, RBC Wealth Management, Rodman & Rodman, South Shore Savings Bank, ShotgunFlat, ViaMark Advertising, WATD-FM, Webster One Source and Willis Works.

“With social networking, texting and the many Groupon-like options, advertising and marketing has gotten more confusing than ever,” noted Steve Dubin, founder of the South Shore Ad Club, an organization that includes a wide range of advertising and marketing professionals. He added, “This expo is intended to help local businesses find their way out of the shadows and into the limelight.”

About The South Shore Ad Club
The South Shore Ad Club is a non-profit organization committed to the personal and professional development of communications professionals located south of Boston. It’s the club’s mission to improve, strengthen and advance career goals through learning and networking opportunities; and to serve as a resource for local and Boston-area businesses requiring marketing, advertising, public relations and/or communications services.

To reserve booth space, contact Steve Dubin, SDubin@PRWorkZone.com, (781) 582-1061. Or visit www.SouthShoreAdClub.com.

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Dr. Richard Eisen will Speak at “The Art of Beauty” Event on January 25th

Richard Eisen M.D.

Board certified dermatologist Dr. Richard Eisen, MD of South Shore Skin Center and Spa, one of the most progressive dermatology practices in Massachusetts with offices in Cohasset and Plymouth, will be speaking on the topic of “Ageless Skin” on Tuesday, January 25th at The Art of Beauty event which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at Maxime Salon, One Derby Street in Hingham.

The Art of Beauty event will showcase the area’s beauty experts and raise money for a good cause – Medicines for Humanity – which is dedicated to saving children’s lives in impoverished communities worldwide.

In addition to Dr. Eisen, Maxime Salon will share their expertise on hair and make-up; White House/Black Market will provide styling tips; Dr. Der Sarkissian, MD, FACS of Boston Facial Plastic Surgery will talk about plastic surgery; Dr. Myra Brennan, DMD of IcuSmile will speak about bright smiles; Bloom Lingerie will provide tips on a beautiful fit and Starbucks will hold an art exhibit/silent auction.

Refreshments will be served and all attendees will receive a swag bag.

Tickets are $70 and may be purchased online at MaximeSalon.com.

This event is sponsored by South Shore Skin Center and Spa, Maxime Salon, Starbucks Coffee, Baby Face Skin Care LLC, White House/Black Market and Bloom Lingerie.

About South Shore Skin Center and Spa

South Shore Skin Center and Spa is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services. South Shore Skin Center and Spa’s medical office and the cosmetic dermatology Spa occupy the 6,600 square-foot third floor of One Scobee Circle in Plymouth. South Shore Skin Center and Spa’s Mohs Surgical Unit is located on the lower level.

At South Shore Skin Center and Spa, patient care comes first. The practice’s unique team of physicians, physician assistants, nursing and medical assistant staff are all specialists in dermatology who share a passion for excellence and a commitment to providing the highest level of care to both children and adults in the greater Boston area. Advanced cosmetic services offered include laser treatments such as Fraxel re:pair and re:store Gentle YAG, IPL, Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birthmarks, tattoos and more. The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, Restylane, Perlane,and other wrinkle fillers; volumizers such as Radiesse and Sculptra; microdermabrasion; laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels. Anti-aging and Cosmetic treatments are both safer and more effective when administered at a physician’s office.

South Shore Skin Center and Spa is located at One Scobee Circle, Unit 3, in Plymouth, Mass. (508) 747-0711 and at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202, in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340. For more information, visit the website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

Dr. Richard Eisen will Speak at “The Art of Beauty” Event on January 25thRead More

HR Knowledge Rolls Out New Charter School Division

Ken Bettenhauser

HR Knowledge, Inc., providers of best-in-class integrated human resource services to clients throughout the Northeast, has recently announced a new Charter School Division to specifically cater to the human resource needs of charter schools.

HR Knowledge’s new division and dedicated staff will serve a fast growing charter school client base in the Northeast. HR Knowledge is an HR Business Process Outsourcer (BPO) that provides HR management, Payroll Processing, Managed Services, Group Benefits, Financial Services, Recruiting and Hiring services. The company helps manage the necessary but time-consuming HR administrative tasks; provides state-of-the-art payroll processing solutions as well as “Best in Class” health and welfare benefits, which allows charter school administrators and staff to stay focused on their business – providing the highest quality of education to children.

The division will be led by Kenneth Bettenhauser, one of the co-founders and the President of Brokerage Services at HR Knowledge.

According to Bettenhauser, “The challenges faced by public education have promoted the growth of alternative learning environments. The charter school industry is one of the fastest growing in the nation and because we provide HR services to many of the charter schools in the Northeast, we’ve also experienced significant growth. We are very sensitive to their needs and have developed a specific program which addresses their particular requirements.”

HR Knowledge currently serves over 25 Charter Schools, including: The MATCH School of Boston; Mystic Valley Regional Charter Public School in Malden, MA; City on a Hill Charter Public School in Roxbury, MA; Seven Hills Charter Public School in Worcester, MA; South Shore Charter Public School in Norwell, MA and a number of other charter schools in the Northeast. HR Knowledge has also worked with charter schools in New York, Washington D.C. and Ohio.

More than 75 charter school administrators and staff were in attendance at HR Knowledge’s recent “Navigating a New Course – Celebrating Charter School Excellence” luncheon event which featured a private screening of “Waiting for Superman” movie at the West Newton Cinema. The film is a documentary that analyzes the challenges facing public education starring renowned Education Reformer Geoffrey Canada.

For additional information about HR Knowledge’s Charter School Division, contact Ken Bettenhauser at (508) 339-1300.

More About Charter Schools

In Massachusetts, charter schools are independent public schools that operate under five year charters granted by the Commonwealth’s Board of Education. In New York, charter schools are independent and autonomous and approved by the State University of New York. According to Pennsylvania’s Department of Education, charter schools are self-managed public schools that are approved by local school districts. For more general information about charter schools across the nation, visit uscharterschools.org.

About HR Knowledge, Inc.

HR Knowledge, Inc. is a leading Business Process Outsourcer (BPO) serving emerging to mid-sized companies throughout the Northeast. HR Knowledge has the experience and technology to efficiently provide best-in-class integrated HR services at an affordable cost to clients. HR Knowledge’s leaders have more than 100 years of combined experience and provide expert guidance in Human Resource management, Group Benefits Brokerage, Payroll Processing & Managed Services, Financial Services and Recruiting and Hiring Process Management (HPM).  Through their comprehensive Human Resource Services, HR Knowledge helps organizations minimize operational risks, reduce administrative costs and better serve their people.

HR Knowledge is headquartered at 905B South Main Street, Suite 203 in Mansfield and their second office is located at 45 First Avenue in Waltham, MA. For more information, contact (508) 339-1300 or visit their website at hrknowledge.com.

HR Knowledge Rolls Out New Charter School DivisionRead More